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Neighbors,
The first week of committee work was powerful and meaningful. We passed a bill in our Environment and Natural Resources committee to fund integral projects across the state, proving we are focused on working together. In the Higher Education and Education Policy committees, I shared my journey, urging the committees to direct our focus on significant issues such as closing the achievement gap. Education equity is one of my priorities and I will continue to address this work throughout the session.
This week we will hear from our community members who have experienced homelessness in hopes to gain information to create legislation with, not just for, our communities. I am committed to this work and appreciate each of you who have reached out to share your stories and experiences.
Please continue to stay safe.
Session priorities
Last week, our House DFL session priorities were announced. These measures will help our friends and neighbors seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic recover. You can read more here.
Contamination cleanup grants announced
The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded nearly $4 million in grants to nine Minnesota cities, including Moorhead. You can read more here about the local contaminated site approved for redevelopment.
Business relief payments
Governor Walz has announced the Minnesota Department of Revenue issued $67.3 million in COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to 3,891 eligible businesses in Minnesota. The relief payments were part of the bipartisan legislation the Legislature passed in December to help restaurants, bars, gyms, and bowling centers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation also delivers direct funding to all of Minnesota’s 87 counties to set up local grant relief programs.
Direct payment requirements for businesses include:
- Location in Minnesota
- Had at least $10,000 in taxable sales in 2019
- Filed Sales Tax returns in 2019 and 2020
- Experienced a 30% drop in year-over-year taxable sales for April-September periods
- Being categorized by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance program as a restaurant, bar, gym, bowling center, or similar business
Businesses that did not receive a COVID-19 Business Relief Payment but think they meet the program criteria can contact the department. An online inquiry process will be available beginning TODAY, Tuesday, January 19, and remains open through Friday, February 5. An additional round of payments will be made after that date for business that qualify.
For those who have asked, businesses must have a physical location in Minnesota, but need not be Minnesota-owned.
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Stay connected
The House has expanded the number of simultaneous committees it can?webcast live?from a maximum of two to five, so you can stay current on issues moving through committees this session.
The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here.
Send an email at rep.heather.keeler@house.mn. I welcome your questions and comments anytime. Also, “like” my Facebook page.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Heather Keeler
State Representative
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